🌤 Best time to visit
Tours from Phi Phi Don see heaviest crowds and longest Maya Bay queues December–March, especially mid-mornings. Weekends amplify congestion at Loh Samah’s floating pier. For quieter stops at Pileh Lagoon and Maya Bay, aim for weekday tours, leaving early or mid‑afternoon. If possible, book a morning or sunset slot, not 10–11am.
🚌 Getting there
Most tours start near Tonsai Pier on Phi Phi Don, a 5–15 minute walk from most accommodations. Shared tours often meet at a set kiosk by the pier; private longtails usually depart directly from Tonsai beach. Confirm your exact pier marker and arrive at least 15 minutes early to find your boat.
🍽️ Food & facilities
Full‑day Phi Phi tours typically include a simple Thai lunch—often a beach buffet or restaurant stop near Bamboo Island or back on Phi Phi Don. Half‑day trips may only provide fruit and water. Toilets are on Phi Phi Don and Maya Bay’s boardwalk area, rarely on longtails. Eat beforehand and carry snacks.
🌧️ Weather considerations
From May–October, monsoon swells can make the crossings between Phi Phi Don, Pileh Lagoon, and Bamboo Island bumpy; longtail tours are more likely to cancel or shorten stops. Jellyfish larvae (“sea lice”) sometimes affect snorkel spots in shoulder months. In rough season, favor speedboat tours and keep plans flexible for rescheduling.
♿ Accessibility
Phi Phi longtail and speedboat tours involve stepping between pier and boat with gaps, climbing metal ladders, and walking sandy paths at Maya Bay and Bamboo Island. Boats rarely have ramps or wheelchair access, and boardwalks include steps. These tours generally don’t suit wheelchair users; guests with limited mobility should discuss needs with operators in advance.
⚠️ Rules & restrictions
Maya Bay is a protected national park zone: boats dock behind the bay at Loh Samah, visitors walk via a boardwalk, and time ashore is capped at about one hour. Swimming is restricted to knee‑deep wading to protect corals. National park fees (around ฿400) may be charged in cash on arrival. Bring cash and follow ranger instructions.
💪 Physical requirements
Expect repeated boarding from bobbing boats, climbing wet ladders, and walking about 600–800 meters between Loh Samah Pier and Maya Bay each visit. Full‑day tours add extended sun exposure and multiple snorkel entries at Pileh Lagoon and other reefs. You should feel comfortable on moving boats and in open water; wear secure swimwear and sturdy sandals.